“You can go your own way,” blasts a rock and roll song from an earlier era. Not to be outdone in expressing the sentiment, no less superstars than Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley crooned, “I did it my way.” Is it true? Can we go our own way and do things our own way? Is that a point of pride?
In their impromptu sermon to their would-be worshipers, Barnabas and Paul admitted that God had let nations go their own way in the past. Nevertheless, God has not been silent as humankind has chosen its own way. God shows kindness by sending rain to produce crops. By providing our food, God fills our hearts with joy. Even their eloquence barely stopped the crowd from sacrificing to them as gods.
Theologians speak about general revelation and specific revelation. General revelation is God revealing himself through creation and nature. What if God’s kindness in miraculously giving each of us life and food is his invitation to go his way instead of our own way? Will we accept his invitation?
Isaiah envisioned God speaking over our shoulders saying, “Here is the way. Walk in it.” Perhaps our struggle is not so much with knowing what is right but with doing what we know is right. We are educated beyond our level of obedience. With appreciation for our popular songs, we can be sure that nobody in heaven is singing: “I did it my way.” Good news: we can go God’s way today. Will we?
